Not Because We Need Another Commentary on This, But...

...because it is stirring inside of me.  Here is how I respond to the Josh Duggar situation and why it weighs so heavy on my heart.

First of all it makes me really sad.

• I am sad because it gives opponents to Christianity more ammunition to use in their argument that all Christians are hypocrites.  Yes, Josh Duggar is one more name in a long list of Christians who have had their platform pulled out from under them because of their sin.  Unfortunately, they won't be remembered for their faith or all of the good they did, but only for their fall and that makes me sad.  
• I am sad for his victims.  There is a lot of attention pointed towards Josh and the grace that he needs but I just can't shake the sadness that I feel for his victims long enough to worry about him.  I am sad that his sisters did not choose this road and they certainly did not choose to then have their victimization broadcast around the world.  The prior and continued suffering of his victims makes me sad. 
• I am sad for his wife and children.  I can't help but wonder if the efforts to protect Josh from the consequences of his actions extended into what was revealed, or not revealed, to his wife.  I am sad that his sin now spills over into new victims who did not even know him at the time.  I believe this compounding victimization is an excellent representation of how our sinful choices can have generational consequences, but it still makes me sad. 

I'll be honest, I am also scared.

I am scared because I wonder who is next.  I wonder what God-fearing man will fall next because he is unable to flee from sin.  I pray it isn't my family but know that no one is immune to the temptation of sin.  The Duggars are good people who had a son who made a really bad choice and then they followed it up with what appears to have been another bad choice.  How many of us can say that we have never made a bad choice where our bodies or families are concerned?  That in NO WAY makes it excusable but it does scare me.  We are flawed people which is why we need Jesus so badly.  It is also why we need to stand vigilant against the lies and temptations of the enemy.   I don't like feeling scared, but perhaps it's a good thing. 

Finally, I am ready.

I am ready for Jesus to come back.  I am so ready that I feel it like a weight on my shoulders.  As I watch the events on the news, hear stories of children tortured, cry with friends who are struggling to save their child from what he cannot control, and prepare for my own child to undergo life-altering surgery, I pray for Jesus to just come back.  It wakes me up in the middle of the night as I feel this great deal of unrest on my soul.  Situations like Josh Duggar's just serve to fuel the agitation of my heart and make me long for a day of no more sin and no more suffering.  I am ready for God to redeem all of the adversity that surrounds me and for the world to see a victory that is found only in Him. 

A Little Update on Our Girl

I had Monday off from work, so I decided to take Maggie to the beach.  I think we took her once last year, but honestly I don't remember so we are going to call this her first trip.

People ask me daily about Maggie which prompted me to catch you up on how she is.  First, I want to tell you a little bit about who she is.  When Maggie was sick, Trent and I feared never seeing her spunky personality again.  I am glad to report that it is finally returning to us.  I think it is a combination of brain healing and weaning her off of her seizure meds.  Regardless, we are thankful. 

Maggie is curious and opinionated.  She is also very loud when you try and thwart her curiosity or opinion. :)

She loves dresses and asks to wear one every day.  She also loves jewelry, tiaras, and playing with my hair.

She is super smart, likes to read, and loves to sing.  If I am singing in the car, she will tell me to stop and that it is her turn.  I guess it is fair to say that she also likes being the center of attention.

So onto her health.  We are still praying that Maggie will qualify for a procedure called a biventricular repair.  This procedure would be performed in Boston and would create a four chambered heart.  It looked initially like she did not qualify but they requested additional studies to be sure.  We have heard "no" before and then seen God do incredible things in her life, so we are still walking and trusting.

If she does not qualify for the bi-vent, she will have a procedure called the Fontan.  This procedure is a bit older and does not have the long term outcomes that we would see with the bi-vent.  This would most likely occur in September.

So you can be praying with us that she would qualify for the bi-vent in Boston.  We aren't giving up yet and are choosing instead to reflect on all that we have seen God do in her life.

 
Thank you for caring and thank you for praying.  I will let you know what we hear.